Men's Basketball

Cincinnati State Men's Basketball

Surge Dip Into Virginia To Bring In Griggs

Jordan Griggs, a graduate of Christ Chapel Academy in Woodbridge, Virginia, has signed a letter of intent to continue his academic and basketball careers at Cincinnati State.

A 6-foot-4 wing player, Griggs averaged 12.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game as a senior. Griggs, who had season highs of 22 points and nine rebounds (three times), was named Second Team All-State after the 2014-15 season.

As a junior, Griggs averaged 10.3 points and 3.9 rebounds a game and was named MVP of the Highland Invitational Basketball Tournament in December.

Griggs played on teams that had tremendous success, including runner-up finishes at the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association Division III State Tournament in both the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons. Additionally, his teams won the Northern Virginia Independent Athletic Conference (NVIAC) title in both of those seasons and Griggs was named First Team All-League in the NVIAC in his junior and senior years.

Griggs’ ability to shoot the ball is what caught the eye of Surge head coach Andre Tate.

“Jordan is super athletic and a great catch-and-shoot player,” Tate said. “He’s also a solid defender, and I really like that he gives us another knock-down shooter.”

Santos Set To Join The Surge

Josh Santos, a 6-foot-8 forward originally from London, England, has transferred to Cincinnati State and will join the Surge men’s basketball team.

Santos played last season at Ancilla College in Donaldson, Indiana. He averaged 12.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game while playing in 16 contests. Santos, who produced game highs of 25 points and 12 rebounds last season, was named Third Team All-Conference in the Michigan Community College Athletic Association.

Cincinnati State head coach Andre Tate is excited about the versatility Santos will bring to his squad.

“Josh is a great shooter, as far as midrange, and he can hit the three,” Tate said. “He’s a good rebounder. And he will be a veteran for us.”

The Surge men’s basketball team produced a 25-7 record, had winning streaks of eight, six and five games and was ranked in the top 15 of the NJCAA Division II poll all season in 2014-15.

Trotter Transfers to Cincinnati State

Brandon Trotter has transferred to Cincinnati State and begun working out with the Surge men’s basketball team.

Trotter, a 6-foot-7 forward, comes to Cincinnati State after a year at Colby Community College in Colby, Kansas. He averaged 4.7 points and 4.6 rebounds in 14.4 minutes per game during the 2014-15 season. Trotter had season highs of 14 points (against Dodge City) and 10 rebounds (against Northeastern Junior College).

Originally from Louisville, Kentucky, Trotter is a 2014 graduate of Seneca High School. After posting 11 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.6 blocks a game as a junior, he had 14 points and six boards per contest during his senior season.

Trotter then played in the Ohio-Kentucky Boys' All-Star Basketball Game in 2014.

Surge head coach Andre Tate is looking forward to adding Trotter to the Cincinnati State roster for a variety of reasons.

“Brandon gives us length and athleticism,” Tate said. “I like his ability to rebound, and I really think he is going to help us in transition.”

Wilkins Transfers To Join The Surge

Brandon Wilkins, a 6-foot-6 forward who played last season at Mercyhurst North East in North East, Pennsylvania, has transferred to Cincinnati State and will join the Surge men’s basketball team.

Originally from Medina, Ohio, Wilkins attended and played basketball for Medina High School.

Wilkins played in 24 games, including starting 19, and averaged 12.3 points, a team-high 8.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game for Mercyhurst North East during the 2014-15 season. He recorded season highs of 23 points and 13 rebounds in a game against Notre Dame JV.

Cincinnati State head coach Andre Tate got a close-up look at Wilkins last season.

“When we played against him last year versus Mercyhurst, he put up 17 (points) and 12 (rebounds) against us,” Tate said. “So I remembered him. He was a load on the block.”

Tate also has been pleasantly surprised since seeing Wilkins work out at the gym at Cincinnati State.

“I didn’t know how good of a shooter he is until I saw him here,” the head coach said. “He’s a good face-up shooter.”

Surge Bring In Point Guard Baker

Justin Baker, who played basketball for Owens Community College last season, has transferred to Cincinnati State.

A 5-foot-7 point guard, Baker is from Indianapolis and is a 2014 graduate of Cathedral High School. He averaged 20 points, three rebounds, seven assists and three steals per game as a senior for a team that went 19-5. Baker was named First Team All-City after his junior and senior seasons and Honorable Mention All-Indiana following his senior campaign.

Baker averaged 6.2 points, 3.2 assists and 1.5 rebounds a game while playing for Owens in 2014-15. He shot 40 percent from 3-point range and posted a season-high 20 points in a game against Columbus State in February. Baker also had a season-high 11 assists against Muskegon in November in his first career start.

Surge head coach Andre Tate is looking for Baker to come in and take charge.

“Sometimes players transfer in and they want to take a back seat, but with him playing point guard, I told Justin he has to be a leader,” Tate said. “And he’s done a good job of meshing with the guys and telling them where they need to be.”

Tate believes Baker’s strengths will be accentuated when playing Cincinnati State’s brand of basketball.

“I like his speed. Justin will fit in well with the up-tempo style of play,” the head coach said. “And he knows what he wants to do with the ball. He’s a very good passer.”

Sakho Transfers To Cincinnati State

Mamadou Sakho, a transfer from Monroe Community College in Rochester, New York, has joined the Cincinnati State men’s basketball team.

A 2012 graduate of Shenandoah Valley Christian Academy in Virginia, Sakho averaged 17.1 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game during the 2011-12 season.

Sakho, a 6-foot-4 wing, played one season at NJCAA Division I Clinton Community College in South Carolina and averaged nine points and five rebounds a game while shooting 43 percent from 3-point range. He then redshirted last season while at Monroe Community College.

Sakho is excited about the opportunity to join the Surge program and play for head coach Andre Tate.

“This is one of the top teams in the country, especially at the (NJCAA) Division II level, and coach Tate has a great reputation of getting guys to the next level,” Sakho said. “I believe if I do my job, I’ll be one of those guys going to the next level.”

Sakho, originally from Queens, New York, said the transition to Cincinnati State is going well and he is ready to contribute.

“I’m looking to bring a New York toughness (to the team), and I have some college experience under my belt,” he said.

Tate pointed to Sakho’s shooting as one of the key attributes he can add to the Surge, and the head coach is looking forward to pairing up Sakho with fellow sharpshooter Cory Smith.

“Mamadou is going to help stretch the defense for us,” Tate said. “I think he will help loosen up the defense a little bit, especially when you have him and Cory on the floor together.”

Barnes Headed Back To Alabama, Division I Basketball

Cincinnati State sophomore Nick Barnes recently signed a letter of intent to join the men’s basketball program at Alabama State University. A native of Lanett, Alabama, he will return to his home state to attend the NCAA Division I school located in Montgomery.

Barnes went to Texas Southern University, an NCAA Division I program, right out of high school, but injuries prevented him from seeing any game action. And after one year at Snead State Community College, Barnes came to Cincinnati State.

Surge head coach Andre Tate knows Barnes always has wanted another shot at playing at college basketball’s top level.

“Something Nick had in mind when he transferred in was getting back to Division I,” Tate said. “So I’m really happy for him. I think he’ll do a great job for Alabama State. He’s just got to put the work in, and I think things will fall in line for him.”

A 6-foot-6 wing player, Barnes averaged 7.8 points and 4.3 rebounds per game this past season for the Surge. He shot 37.5 percent from three-point range and had game highs of 27 points and 14 rebounds during the 2014-15 campaign.

However, it was more than just his statistics that impressed Tate.

“Nick was a leader for us this past season, and that was something we really needed,” the head coach said. “We had a lot of freshmen. He took on a leadership role, especially when we got into conference play.”

Tate believes Barnes will be a nice addition for the Hornets, which are coming off a 19-10 overall record and a 14-4 mark in Southwestern Athletic Conference play last season.

"I think he will provide great shooting for Alabama State and be a good fit for them," Tate said.

Cincinnati State Men's Basketball Team Lands Lewis

DJ Lewis, a senior at Princeton High School, recently signed a letter of intent to join the Cincinnati State men’s basketball program.

Lewis, a versatile 6-foot-3 player, averaged 12 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.1 steals per game for the Vikings during his senior season. He erupted for 19 points and 19 rebounds in a game against Fairfield and also had 17 points and 10 boards in a matchup with Colerain.

Surge head coach Andre Tate is excited about bringing Lewis into the Cincinnati State program.

“I love DJ’s toughness and I love that he’s left-handed,” Tate said. “He’s a tough kid who likes to battle big guys, but he’s going to be a good wing for us.”

Tate anticipates Lewis, who spent much of his time in the post in high school, playing some combination of shooting guard and small forward for the Surge.

“DJ is a solid shooter, good defender and good rebounder,” the head coach said. “So he’s going to help us.”

Georgia Student-Athlete Signs With Surge Men's Hoops Team

The Cincinnati State men’s basketball program reached into Georgia for one of its latest recruits.

Surge head coach Andre Tate and assistant coach Mike Walker discovered Devale Johnson, a senior at Stockbridge High School in Stockbridge, Georgia. The interest was mutual, and Johnson attended an “open gym” session at Cincinnati State.

After seeing him play, Tate offered Johnson a scholarship. The 6-foot-2 combo guard recently signed a letter of intent to join the Surge during a ceremony at his high school.

Johnson averaged 12 points, five rebounds and four assists per game during his senior season. He recorded a season-high 19 points in a Stockbridge victory.

Tate likes Johnson’s versatility and thinks he will fit in well with his scheme.

“Devale has a really good midrange game and is an up-tempo style of player who is going to be an asset for what we like to do,” Tate said.

Cincinnati State, which is coming off a 25-7 record in 2014-15, will have lots of competition for time in the backcourt leading into next season. Johnson will join returning players Grover Anderson and Cory Smith as well as newcomers Jhedayah “Juice” Gibbs, Isiah Bostic and DJ Lewis at the guard spots.

Tate is perfectly fine with having an assortment of guards on his squad.

“That’s a great thing,” the head coach said. “Teams that are deep going into conference play usually are going to be in the thick of things.”

'Juice' Signs To Join Surge Men's Basketball Team

Jhedayah “Juice” Gibbs, from New York City, recently signed a letter of intent to join the Cincinnati State men’s basketball program.

A 6-foot guard, Gibbs scored more than 1,000 points over his last three high school seasons while playing for Thurgood Marshall Academy in Manhattan.

A talented 3-point shooter, he averaged 18.1 points, 6.9 assists and 3.1 steals per game during his senior season. Gibbs, a second team All-City selection, had 30 points, six rebounds and seven assists in a game during his final high school campaign.

Surge head coach Andre Tate is eager to bring Gibbs to Cincinnati State.

“He’s a dynamic point guard who can really handle the basketball and knows how to run a team,” Tate said. “And he’s left-handed. I like left-handed point guards.”

Gibbs, who will begin taking classes at Cincinnati State and working out with the basketball team in June, is expected to be in the running for the starting point guard spot for the Surge next season.

“He’s good defensively, and he’s long,” Tate added. “He’s going to come in and help us.”

Bostic Signs With Surge Hoops Team

Isiah Bostic, a senior at Turpin High School in Cincinnati, signed a letter of intent on Wednesday to continue his academic and basketball careers at Cincinnati State.

Bostic, a 6-foot-1 guard, averaged 13.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game during his senior season. One of his season highlights came in a 22-point performance in Turpin’s 85-84 victory over Milford. Bostic also played in the Cincinnati East West All-Star Game earlier this month.

Bostic comes from a family rich in basketball tradition in the city of Cincinnati. His father, 6-foot-5 Curtis Bostic, played for the University of Cincinnati and later was a strength and conditioning coach for the Bearcats.

Cincinnati State head coach Andre Tate, a University of Cincinnati standout in his own right, is excited about bringing in the son of a fellow former Bearcat.

“His dad was really good at UC,” Tate said. “Isiah doesn’t have his dad’s height, but he has his athletic ability.”

Tate added that the younger Bostic, who projects as a shooting guard and possibly a wing player with the Surge, is a smart player who is strong, good on the defensive end and can knock down shots.

In addition to being a basketball standout, Bostic is a track-and-field athlete and an honor-roll student.

Wilson Finds Home At Cincinnati State

Going from a teenager without life’s basic needs to a basketball scholarship to Cincinnati State brings a joyous next step in the life of Various Wilson.

It’s a remarkable story of perseverance for Wilson, who ended up homeless after his mother moved from Indianapolis to Cincinnati to find work last year.

Attending Shortridge Magnet High School in Indianapolis, Wilson worked through his difficult circumstances and found success on the basketball court. The 6-foot-5 forward averaged 16 points and eight rebounds per game during his senior season.

Wilson, who has been staying at different friends’ houses as he finishes high school, doesn’t have any regrets.

“I’m glad everything happened the way it did,” he said. “It’s made me stronger.”

Wilson traveled with a coach to Cincinnati to participate in an “open gym” session at Cincinnati State on Saturday. At the end of the session, Surge head coach Andre Tate offered him the opportunity he has been working toward – a college scholarship.

Wilson accepted, later signed his letter of intent and is set to join the Cincinnati State men’s basketball team.

“It means the world,” Wilson said of the scholarship offer. “It didn’t kick in until [Sunday]. It’s exciting.”

Tate believes Wilson will be an asset to Cincinnati State.

“A kid that has gone through that kind of adversity and is still going strong and finishing up high school, it’s a testament to his character and what kind of person he is,” Tate said. “It’s going to be a pleasure to have him in our program.”

Wilson, who said he is most looking forward to simply the college experience, will begin taking classes at Cincinnati State and working out with the basketball team in June.

Season a Success for Cincinnati State Men's Basketball Team

While the 2014-15 Cincinnati State men’s basketball season has to be deemed a success, the ultimate goal remained just out of reach.

The Surge produced a 25-7 record, had winning streaks of eight, six and five games and was ranked in the top 15 of the NJCAA Division II poll all season.

However, a 107-102 overtime loss to Owens Community College in the final regular-season game prevented Cincinnati State from a second straight conference championship and a 75-68 setback to Owens in the semifinals of the district tournament kept the Surge from back-to-back national tournament appearances.

Cincinnati State burst out of the gates, claiming six straight victories to start the season. The Surge ended the calendar year with a 12-2 mark, but 2015 brought changes to the roster and increased roles for some freshmen players.

Cincinnati State went 5-3 to start the month of January before the team gelled and hit its stride. The Surge reeled off eight straight wins heading into the regular-season finale.

“That eight-game stretch, we came together as a team and we got on a roll,” Cincinnati State head coach Andre Tate said.

A leading cause for the run of success was the play of Grover Anderson. The freshman guard from Crest Hill, Illinois, averaged 20.9 points per game during the eight games.

“Grover Anderson took off in the second half of the season to become a first-team all-conference player,” Tate said.

Another key member of the Surge was James Kilpatrick. Tate remarked late in the season that he didn’t know where his team would be without the sophomore forward from Memphis, appreciating the effort from Kilpatrick.

“His consistency, day-in, day-out, as far as hustle, rebounding and points when we needed it was great,” the head coach added.

Anderson paced the Surge with 12.2 points per game, and Kilpatrick led the team with 7.5 rebounds a contest. Freshmen guards Cory Smith (10.6) and Davion Ashe (10.1) rounded out the players who averaged double figures in scoring.

Anderson was named to the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference first team, while Kilpatrick was named to the second team and Ashe received honorable mention recognition.

“I thought it was a very good season,” Tate said. “Any time you win 25 games, it has to be considered a good season.”

Looking forward, Tate believes next season’s team will be back where he wants the program to be. Cincinnati State, which currently has five verbal commitments from high school seniors, will return approximately a half dozen players from this squad.

Surge Let One Slip Away in District Tournament

Circleville, Ohio -- The Cincinnati State men’s basketball team allowed Owens Community College to finish on a 16-4 run as the Surge fell to the Express, 75-68, in the semifinals of the NJCAA Division II District 11 tournament.

Leading, 64-59, with 3:46 remaining, Cincinnati State struggled to rebound and connect from the free-throw line, giving Owens the opportunity to come back. It marked the second time in a week that the Express got the best of the Surge.

Owens (25-6) out-rebounded Cincinnati State by 15, blocked eight more shots and held the Surge to 33.8 percent shooting from the field.

Sophomores James Kilpatrick (pictured), Larry Johnson, Adam McCall and Nick Barnes played their last game for Cincinnati State, which finished the season with a 25-7 record. Barnes led the Surge with 16 points, while Kilpatrick had 10 points and nine rebounds.

Freshman guard Grover Anderson went 10-for-10 from the free-throw line en route to 12 points, and freshman forward Alex Baptiste added nine points and six boards.

Darren Groves led the way for Owens with 19 points and 13 rebounds.

For the season, Anderson led Cincinnati State with 12.2 points per game, while Kilpatrick paced the team with 7.5 rebounds a contest.

Surge Advance to District Tournament Semifinals

After two nail-biting wins against Columbus State Community College this season, the Cincinnati State men’s basketball got out in front and didn’t let up en route to a 77-62 victory over the visiting Cougars in an NJCAA Division II District 11 tournament quarterfinal on Tuesday night.

The Surge used balanced offense and high-pressure defense to secure a spot in the tournament semifinals. Cincinnati State will face Owens Community College at Ohio Christian University in Circleville, Ohio, on Friday at 8 p.m.

Six players scored between nine and 13 points as the Surge won their ninth game in the past 10. Freshmen guards Grover Anderson and Cory Smith led the way with 13 points each, while sophomore forward Larry Johnson added 11. James Kilpatrick posted 10 points, seven rebounds and a game-high four assists, and Alex Baptiste (pictured) had nine points and a team-best eight boards.

“We talked about moving the ball, and when you do that, everyone has a chance to score,” Cincinnati State head coach Andre Tate said.

The Surge locked down defensively, holding Columbus State leading scorer Matthew Rhodes to zero field goals and three points, and Tate noticed a difference in his team’s third game against the Cougars.

“I thought we did a better job of guarding and running them off the 3-point line,” he said.

With a matchup with Owens on the horizon, Cincinnati State is eager for the opportunity.

“We’re looking forward to playing Owens,” Tate said. “They are a very good team and very well coached. As long as we keep them off the glass, we will put ourselves in a position to win.”

Conference crown on the line as Cincinnati State faces Owens

It all comes down to this.

The Cincinnati State men’s basketball team travels to face Owens Community College on Saturday, and with a win, the Surge will clinch at least a share of the conference regular-season title and the top seed in the district tournament.

Cincinnati State is 24-5 and 11-2 in Ohio Community College Athletic Conference play, matching the same conference record held by Owens and Lakeland Community College. The Surge hold the tiebreaker over the Lakers, meaning a win at Owens would guarantee a No. 1 seed in the district tournament in addition to their ninth OCCAC crown.

Cincinnati State, No. 11 in the NJCAA Division II rankings, is riding an eight-game winning streak, its longest such stretch of the season. Five of those eight victories have been by three or fewer points, but that doesn’t bother head coach Andre Tate.

“I’m fine with that.” Tate said. “You are not going to have any blowouts in the tournament. There are going to be some close games.”

Grover Anderson, chosen OCCAC player of the week twice in the past three weeks, has been hot. The freshman guard is averaging 22.5 points per game while shooting 90.7 percent from the free-throw line in his last six contests. Anderson hasn’t missed from the charity stripe in the last three games, going 19-for-19.

“As long as he’s aggressive and playing like he is right now, we’re going to pretty tough to beat,” Tate said.

Additionally, James Kilpatrick has been a huge asset to the Surge down the stretch. The sophomore forward has connected on two game-winning baskets in the past three games and is averaging 10.3 rebounds over the last four.

“James has been consistent all year,” Tate said. “He’s been our MVP the whole season. I don’t know where we’d be without him, because he also brings the toughness, and it rubs off on a few guys.”

If Cincinnati State loses at Owens on Saturday, the Surge will host Columbus State on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in district tournament play.

But a victory would mean a trip straight to the district tournament semifinals in Circleville, Ohio, next Friday.

“I just want us to go up there and play with some toughness,” Tate said of the regular-season finale. “If we go up there and play tough and rebound the basketball and don’t let them get in the paint against us, we’ll have a chance of coming out of there with a win.”

CINCINNATI
STATE BASKETBALL GAMES MOVED TO SUNDAY

The
Cincinnati State men’s and women’s basketball games against Lakeland Community
College originally scheduled for Saturday have been moved to Sunday.

The
start times will remain 1 p.m. (women) and 3 p.m. (men), and the games will be
held on campus.

It
marks the last regular-season home game for both teams, and all Surge sophomore
basketball players will be recognized between the games.

The
No. 12 Cincinnati State men’s team (23-5) will face No. 15 Lakeland (21-5),
which leads the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference standings by one
game over the Surge.

The
Cincinnati State women’s team (17-10) will take on a 14-13 Lakeland squad.

Surge move up to No. 5 in national poll

Cincinnati State has moved up one place, to No. 5, in the NJCAA Division II men's basketball poll.

The Surge (12-2) trail only Louisburg (13-0), Kishawaukee (14-2),
Richard Bland (13-0) and Phoenix (12-3) and are the highest-ranked team
from Region XII. Owens (12-4) is the only other OCCAC team in the
rankings.

Cincinnati State's next game is at Lorain County on Saturday.

Surge hold off Olive-Harvey

The Cincinnati State men’s basketball team shook off the
rust from not playing a game in more than two weeks as it defeated visiting
Olive-Harvey College, 85-82, on Monday night.

The Surge trailed most of the first half, including by a
score of 22-11 about 10 minutes into the game, and shot just 28 percent in the
opening 20 minutes. However, Cincinnati State rallied back to tie the game at
41 at halftime.

“We finally got our legs under us,” Surge head coach Andre
Tate said. “Being off 14-15 days, going into the game, I knew we were going to
struggle a little bit, but I thought after going into the locker room we
regrouped and came out ready to play.”

Cincinnati State executed better offensively in the second
half, knocking down 60 percent of its shots. Keying the run were freshman guard
Grover Anderson and sophomore forward James Kilpatrick. The duo combined for 22
of the Surge’s 44 second-half points.

Kilpatrick also led Cincinnati State with nine rebounds.

“James is a monster on the glass,” Tate said. “He’s starting
to finish around the bucket, which is making him a better player, and defensively
he causes a lot of problems.”

After Cincinnati State stretched the lead to 61-50 on a
three-pointer from Davion Ashe that just beat the shot-clock buzzer with 12:49
remaining, Olive-Harvey began to chip away. The Panthers cut the Surge lead to
one with 56 seconds to go before sophomore guard Deandre Hollins-Johnson drove
the lane and scored. An Olive-Harvey desperation three-pointer at the final
buzzer ricocheted off the rim.

Anderson finished with a team-high 18 points and six
rebounds, while Kilpatrick netted 17. Ashe added 13 points and five rebounds. Olive-Harvey
guard Quentin Ruff led all scorers with 33.

“We’ve been in a lot of tight games this year, and it’s
going to bode well for us when tournament time and conference time gets here,”
Tate said. “We’ll be ready for anything that comes our way.”

Surge add length with acquisitions of Barnes, Muhammad-Ahmarudeen

Cincinnati State coach Andre Tate continues to revamp his roster for the upcoming basketball season with the recent additions of center Yusef Muhammad-Ahmarudeen and transfer guard Nick Barnes.

Muhammad-Ahmarudeen comes to Cincinnati State after winning back-to-back Utah Class 2A State titles while playing for Coach Geno Morgan at Wasatch Academy. The 6’10 center from Nigeria averaged 8 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2 blocks last season while leading the Raptors to a 26-1 record and a flawless 10-0 mark in their region.

“With his length, Yusef is a player who can come in and make an immediate impact,” Tate said. “He has the ability to alter shots and stretch the floor.”

Nick Barnes, a 6’6 guard from Lanett, Ala., spent last season playing at Snead State Community College (Ala.). He averaged 4.8 points and 2.9 rebounds while shooting 42.4 percent from beyond the arc. Barnes is projected to compete for a starting spot with incoming freshmen Davion Ashe and Quinton Chames.

“Nick has the ability to score. His length is what sets him apart from other guards at this level,” Tate explained. “We haven’t had this type of size in a while. We will have five or six guys who can finish around the basket and play above the rim.”

Muhammad and Barnes join a Cincinnati State team coming off of a 29-5 season, a conference title, a district championship and a sixth-place finish at the NJCAA National Tournament.

Transfer Hollins-Johnson to play point at Cincinnati State next season

Cincinnati State coach Andre Tate further solidified the point guard spot for next season with the recent acquisition of transfer Deandre Hollins-Johnson.

Less than four months ago, Tate watched as Hollins-Johnson led Central Community College - Columbus (Neb.) to an upset win over the No. 1-seeded Surge in the NJCAA National Tournament. When the season ended, Hollins-Johnson's coach took another job, leaving the 5'11 guard with the decision to stay in Nebraska or to explore other options.

"When Deandre contacted us, we were a little surprised," Tate said. "Here was a kid from Omaha, Neb., who just beat us and wants to come play for us. It isn't often when a scenario like this plays out. We were able to see up close and personal that DeAndre can play at this level, so we wasted little time going through the process to get him here. It will be nice to have him in our uniform this season."

Hollins-Johnson averaged 8.9 points, 3.2 assists and 2.8 rebounds while leading the Raiders to a third-place finish at the national tournament last year.

Prior to college, Hollins-Johnson was a three-sport star in track and field, football and basketball at Omaha Central High School. He was part of three straight state basketball titles and was selected to the All-State team in basketball and track.

Hollins-Johnson joins a Cincinnati State team coming off of a 29-5 season, a conference title, a district championship and a sixth-place finish at the NJCAA National Tournament.

Metro Conference Player of the Year Smith III accepts offer to play for Surge

Taft forward Robert Smith III has signed his letter of intent and will play at Cincinnati State next season.

Smith III averaged 14.5 points and 13.7 rebounds last year for the Senators. He led his team to the Metro League title and was named the Metro League "Athlete of the Year." Smith III and the Senators went on to claim the Division II sectional title before being defeated by Thurgood Marshall in the regional championship game. Smith III also was selected to the District 16 1st Team.

"I liked Robert's game from the first time I watched him play," Surge head coach Andre Tate said. "He is a bit undersized at his position, but he makes up for it with his strength and toughness. I expect him to bring that same toughness and work ethic to every practice and every game."

Smith III joins a Cincinnati State team coming off of a 29-5 season, a conference title, a district championship and a sixth-place finish at the NJCAA National Tournament.

Surge add Thurgood Marshall standouts, transfer Johnson

As high-school teammates at Thurgood Marshall, Ashe and Hawkins led the Cougars to a 22-6 record while claiming the Division II sectional and regional championship last season. A 6'2 guard, Hawkins averaged 12.5 points while shooting 57.1 percent from the field. He was named to the Dayton All-City Team and Southwest Ohio's All-Area Team. Ashe, who can play both guard spots, averaged 10.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 2 assists last season.

"These two boys come in already knowing what it takes to win games," Tate said. "Both players will have a tremendous impact on our team next season."

Cincinnati State also added size with the recent transfer signing of Larry Johnson. Johnson, a 6'8 forward, played in 25 games at Lincoln Trail Community College last season prior to a successful high school career at Hamilton Southeastern in Indiana.

"Larry has the length and athleticism to be a great player on this level. He didn't get the minutes he was looking for at his previous school and is desperate to prove what he can do this season," Tate said. "I always want guys who are hungry and motivated to do whatever it takes to be successful. Larry fits that mold."

Hawkins, Ashe and Johnson join a Surge squad coming off a 29-5 season and a sixth-place finish at the NJCAA National Tournament.

After a successful high school career as teammates at Thurgood Marshall, Davion Ashe and Tremayne Hawkins will play at Cincinnati State.

Holmes forwards Chames and Hill to play for Cincinnati State

Cincinnati State head coach Andre Tate added length and athleticism to the 2014-15 roster with the recent signings of Holmes High School seniors Quinton Chames and Marcus Hill.

The 6’6 forwards from Covington, Ky., helped lead the Bulldogs to a 27-6 record and a Ninth Region runner-up finish. Chames led the Bulldogs in rebounding, averaging 7.4, to go along with 12.2 points and a 62 percent field goal percentage. Chames was selected to the Northern Kentucky Boys’ Basketball All-Star Team, the All-Conference Team and was an All-State Honorable Mention.

Hill averaged 8.4 points and 6.8 rebounds in just under 24 minutes per game for Holmes coach Jason Booher. Hill was selected to the All-Region Tournament Team last season.

“Over the years, we have been able to get some great talent from Holmes,” Tate said. “I think Quinton and Marcus will come in and make an impact for us. Both play above the rim, which is something we have been missing over the past few seasons.”

Chames and Hill will join a Cincinnati State program coming off a 29-5 season and a sixth-place finish at the NJCAA National Tournament.

Grays to play at James Madison University next season

Cincinnati State guard Winston Grays has signed his national letter of intent to play at James Madison University next season.

“I just loved everything about JMU,” he said. “The coaching staff, the players and the campus seem like a great fit for me.”

Last season, Grays averaged 20.2 points per game with the Surge, shooting 45.4 percent from the field and 35.6 percent from beyond the arc. He led Cincinnati State to the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference title, the District 11 title and asixth-place finish at the NJCAA national tournament.

The 6’2 scorer won the OCCAC “Player of the Year” and was named a Division II NJCAA 1st Team All-American. Grays is third on the school’s all-time scoring list with 1,160 points.

Grays, who said he chose JMU over offers from IUPUI and Eastern Kentucky, is the third Surge player to suit up for the Dukes in the past five seasons. Rayshawn Goins and James Millen, members of Cincinnati State’s 2010 team, also went on to play for head coach Matt Brady and the Dukes.

James Madison University, located in Harrisonburg, Va., competes in the Colonial Athletic Association. The Dukes have appeared in the NCAA tournament five times, including in 2013.

Winston Grays will play for James Madison head coach Matt Brady and the Dukes next season.

Surge claim district title, finish sixth at nationals

After claiming the district title, the men's program capped off a successful season with a sixth-place finish at the NJCAA national tournament.

The men punched their ticket to nationals in Danville, Ill., thanks to a Winston Grays jumper as time expired that sent Cincinnati State to a 79-78 win over Owens in the NJCAA District XI championship game on March 9.

The Surge, which were the top seed in the national tournament, had their title hopes dashed after a 90-78 loss to Central Community College (Neb.) in the second round. Cincinnati State ended with a sixth-place finish in the tournament.

The Surge, which ended the regular season ranked No. 1 in the NJCAA national poll for the first time in program history, finished with a 29-5 record while claiming the District 11 and OCCAC titles.

Capping off a great year, Grays was named OCCAC “Player of the Year” and an an NJCAA All-American. Grays led the team in scoring and is one of six Cincinnati State players to score more than 1,000 points. Surge head coach Andre Tate was named OCCAC and District I “Coach of the Year.”

Circleville, OH -- Freshman DJ Cogdell hit two of the most important free throws of Cincinnati State's season with 0.5 seconds left in regulation, giving the Surge a 75-73 win over Lakeland Community College in Friday's district semifinal.

Cogdell, a 5'8 guard from Pontiac, Mich., tracked down a loose ball and was fouled by Lakeland's Michael Davidson. The freshman calmly hit both free throws, forcing the Lakers to throw up an unsuccessful full-court shot as time expired.

Cincinnati State forward Chrisean Marsden proved to be a major presence in the paint, finishing with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Winston Grays finished with a team-high 22 points.

Lakeland, which completed the season with a 15-14 record, was led by Michael Solivan's 22 points.

Extending its winning streak to 10 games, Cincinnati State (26-3) advances to Saturday's district final and will take on the winner of the Owens-Sinclair contest. The Surge, which are ranked No. 1 in the NJCAA national poll, will attempt to win their first district title since 2010 and move on to the NJCAA National Tournament.

Cincinnati State claims share of OCCAC title with win over Lakeland

CINCINNATI, OH - In the final game of the regular season, Cincinnati State earned its first OCCAC title since 2010 with a 104-74 victory over Lakeland Community College on Saturday.

Ranked No. 1 in the NJCAA national poll, Cincinnati State (25-3; 11-1 in OCCAC) closed out the season on a 9 game winning streak thanks to a balanced scoring attack. 7 Cincinnati State players finished in double figures led by sophomore McKinley Bell's 17 points. Bell also added 12 rebounds in his final home game in a Surge uniform. Hugh Hobbs finished with 15 points. Winston Grays, the program's 5th leading scorer of all-time, finished with 13 points and a game-high 8 assists.

"This was a great win. With a title on the line, you always want to come out and execute," Cincinnati State head coach Andre Tate said. "We did that in the second half today and pulled away to the victory."

With the win, this year's team finished the season with a perfect 12-0 record at home.

Lakeland (14-13; 6-6) was led by forward Rasheed Howard's 20 points.

Securing the top spot in this weekend's conference tournament, Cincinnati State will play the winner of Tuesday's play-in game between Columbus State and Lakeland. This year's conference tournament is held on Friday and Saturday at Ohio Christian University in Circleville, OH.

Sophomores Winston Grays, Chrisean Marsden, Hugh Hobbs Jr., Orlando Berry and McKinley Bell led the Surge to the first OCCAC title since 2010. Saturday's game marked the last time the departing sophomores would play infront of their home crowd.

Surge close in on OCCAC crown with road win over Sinclair

DAYTON, OH - Cincinnati State took another step toward clinching the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference men's basketball crown with a 93-76 road win over Sinclair Community College on Wednesday.

The Surge, ranked No. 2 in the NJCAA national poll, posted their eighth straight victory to improve to 24-3 overall and 10-1 in the OCCAC. Cincinnati State has just one game left, vs. Lakeland, on March 1.

Hugh Hobbs, with 17 points, led a balanced scoring attack as all nine Cincinnati State players who played reached the scoring column. Winston Grays had 15 and Lorenzen Wright finished with 14.

Berry provided the spark for the Surge. The 5'10 sophomore point guard's stat line featured 15 points and 7 assists, and he continually sparked the offense and defense with his heads-up play. Berry, who leads the nation in assists-to-turnover ratio, enhanced that lead with zero turnovers.

Richard Weaver, with 21 points, led No. 20 Sinclair, which dropped to 20-7 and 5-5.

Cincinnati State shot 58 percent in the first half to open a 23-point lead. The Surge shot 49 percent for the game.

The Surge host Lakeland at 3 pm on March 1.

For more information on the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference, please visit - www.occac.org

Surge defeat Owens in battle of top ten teams

CINCINNATI, OH - Cincinnati State moved back into first place in the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference men’s basketball standings with a convincing 80-67 victory over Owens Community College on Saturday.

The victory by the Surge, No. 2 in the NJCAA poll, avenged their lone loss in league play and put them a half game over Owens. Cincinnati State is 23-3 overall and 9-1 in the OCCAC. Owens, ranked No. 8 nationally, fell to 20-5 and 7-1.

Winston Grays led the Surge with 20 points and became the third documented Cincinnati State player to score over 1,000 career points, finishing the game with 1,118. Chrisean Marsden added 16 along with eight rebounds and three blocked shots. McKinley Bell tallied 14. Point guard Orlando Berry finished with a team high 8 assists as the Surge improved to 12-0 at home this season.

Cincinnati State staked an early lead and never trailed, boasting a 20-point margin in the second half. The Surge shot 48 percent from the floor, with eight of the 10 players reaching the scoring column. Cincinnati State’s defense flustered the Express to 36 percent shooting and 19 turnovers. The Surge, who lead the nation in steals, made 15 thefts in the game.

Grays closes in on 1,000 point milestone as Surge defeat Lakeland

KIRTLAND, Ohio -- Needing 38 points to eclipse 1,000 in his junior college career, Cincinnati State's Winston Grays led his team to a 76-69 victory over Lakeland Community College with 25 points on Saturday afternoon.

Cincinnati State, which had lost the previous 4 contests to Lakeland, improved to 7-1 in the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference and 21-3 overall.

Despite an uncharacteristic 1-11 shooting performance from beyond the arc, Cincinnati State led throughout the entire game. The Lakers were able to cut the deficit down to 2 points thanks to a Marcus Fleming jump shot with 2:23 remaining, but freshman James Kilpatrick's conventional three-point play at the 2:01 mark helped spark a 10-3 Cincinnati State run to close the game.

Cincinnati State, which entered the game with the NJCAA's No. 2 scoring offense, was held to its third-lowest point total of the season. The Surge had topped the century mark in five of their previous seven games and were averaging 103 points per outing.

Grays, who also added 8 rebounds and 4 steals to his Saturday stat line, needs just 13 points to become the school's third player to reach the 1,000 point milestone. McKinley Bell, Chrisean Marsden and Kilpatrick finished the game with 10 points each.

Fleming led Lakeland (12-10; 4-3) with a game high 28 points.

Currently ranked No. 3 in the NJCAA national poll, Cincinnati State visits Columbus State Community College on Wednesday.

Surge stay undefeated at home with lopsided victory over winless Edison

Cincinnati, OH -- Five players scored in double figures as Cincinnati State rolled over Edison, 105-65, for its 20th win of the season, in Ohio Community College Athletic Conference play on Thursday.

It was the 12th century scoring performance of the season for the 20-3 Surge, who entered the game ranked No. 3 in the NJCAA national poll with the nation’s second-leading scoring offense (103.0).

Winston Grays led Cincinnati State with 24 points. Starters Teron Ramsey and James Kilpatrick netted 14 and 11 points, respectively. McKinley Bell and D.J. Codgell came off the bench to contribute 18 points each as the Surge improved to 11-0 on their home floor this season.

Cincinnati State was 14-of-29 from 3-point range, with Codgell and Wright each sinking six of 12 from beyond the arc. As a team, Cincinnati State has reached double digits in 3-pointers made three times in its last four games.

"This is the best shooting team I have had," Cincinnati State head coach Andre Tate said. "We have seven or eight guys who can get hot on any given night. Lately, they have all been hitting their shots."

Chandon Williams’ 22 points was tops for the Chargers, who remained winless on the season (0-13, 0-7).

Cincinnati State, now 6-1 and in second place in the OCCAC, plays at third-place Lakeland Community College on Saturday.

Sophomore Winston Grays led all players with 24 points in Thursday's win over Edison. Grays is 38 points shy of eclipsing 1,000 points scored in his junior college career.

Donald leads Surge to win over No. 9 Sinclair

Cincinnati, OH -- In Wednesday's Ohio Community College Athletic Conference action, freshman Trent Donald scored 25 points and led a second-half rally as Cincinnati State edged Sinclair Community College, 93-87.

Donald, who had missed the last two games due to injury, scored five points to break a 59-all tie and had 11 of his points in the final 12 minutes. After Sinclair closed the gap to two points with 1:41 remaining, Donald made the first of a two-shot free throw. He missed his second attempt but Winston Grays grabbed the rebound and scored to clinch the game. Grays finished with 15 points and Orlando Berry had 16 and five assists.

The win ups Cincinnati State to 19-3 overall and 5-1 in the Ohio Community Colleges Athletic Conference. The Surge are ranked No. 6 for the second straight week in the NJCAA poll and are second in the OCCAC.

No. 9 Sinclair (18-4, 3-2) had five double-digit scorers. Deiontay Walters led the attack with 24 points, with Wesley Parr and Trace Cureton each adding 15.

Cincinnati State is idle until next Wednesday’s hom when the team hosts Edison Community College at 7:30 pm.

Returning to action after missing the last two games due to injury, Donald finished with a team high 25 points as the Surge knocked off No. 9 Sinclair on Wednesday.

Grays scores career high as Surge top Cuyahoga

Cleveland, Ohio -- Winston Grays celebrated a homecoming with a career-high 40 points to lead Cincinnati State to a 109-72 win over Cuyahoga in Ohio Community College Athletic Conference men's basketball action on Saturday.

Grays, who played his high school basketball at Benedictine High in Cleveland, made 13 of 21 shots from the floor, 6-of-8 from 3-point range, to lead the Surge to the one-sided victory. He also sparked the offense with six assists.

Cincinnati State, which is ranked No. 6 in the NJCAA, improved to 18-3 overall and 4-1 in OCCAC play, 1 game out of first place. Cuyahoga fell to 3-15 and 1-3.

Cincinnati State built a 54-38 lead by halftime and put the game away with 56 percent shooting in the second half. It marked the 11th game this season in which the Surge topped the century mark in scoring.

Second half offense propels Surge past Columbus State

Cincinnati, Ohio -- Cincinnati State scored 68 points in the second half to overpower Columbus State, 119-78, in Ohio Community College Athletic Conference action on Wednesday night.

Cincinnati State's Winston Grays led all scorers with 24 points to go along with 6 assists. Freshman DJ Cogdell finished with a career high 23 points, converting 7 of 10 three point attempts, to lift the No. 6 Surge to their 17th win (17-3) of the season and third win (3-1) in OCCAC play. It marked the 10th time that Cincinnati State topped the 100-point mark. The Surge are ranked first in the NJCAA in scoring offense (102.3).

Seven Cincinnati State players reached double figures in scoring with McKinley Bell also recording a personal best with 14 points. As a team, Cincinnati State shot 51.2 % from the field.

Surge open up conference play with 116-64 win over Cuyahoga

Cincinnati, OH - Trent Donald, with 19 points, led six double-digit scorers as No. 3 Cincinnati State opened Ohio Community College Athletic Conference play with a 116-62 win over Cuyahoga.

The win boosted Cincinnati State to 15-2. Cuyahoga fell to 2-13.

Supporting Donald in the scoring column were Winston Grays with 17 points, James Kilpatrick (16), Hugh Hobbs (15), McKinley Bell (14) and Jordan Walsman (10). The 116 points marked the eighth time the Surge, who lead the NJCAA in scoring, have topped the century mark.

Jahad Fruits scored 18 points to lead Cuyahoga. Aaron Ashley, who entered the game averaging 23.0 points, was held to 13 and just two points in the first half.

Cincinnati State forced 33 Cuyahoga turnovers, making 25 steals. It marked the 14th time this season that the Surge, who lead the nation in steals, reached double digits.

Cincinnati State hosts ABCD Prep Academy International on Monday and returns to OCCAC play on Wednesday at Edison Community College.

Trent Donald leads Surge to overtime victory over Olive-Harvey

Chicago, IL - Playing in the final game before the beginning of conference play, the Cincinnati State men's basketball team defeated Olive-Harvey 122-115 in overtime on Monday night.

Cincinnati State forward Trent Donald, a freshman from Winton Woods, OH, came off the bench to lead all scorers with 36 points on 13 of 19 shooting. It was Donald's highest offensive output of the season. Sophomore guard Hugh Hobbs finished with 26 points and 6 steals. Winston Grays, who came off the bench for the first time this season, contributed with 23 points.

Olive-Harvey, which fell to 9-6 overall, was led by forward Damien Enoch's 27 points and 9 rebounds.

Currently ranked No. 1 in the NJCAA national poll with a 14-2 record, Cincinnati State will have 12 days to prepare for the beginning of conference play. The Surge will host Cuyahoga Community College on the 11th at 3 pm.

Trent Donald scored a season high 36 points in the Surge's overtime win over Olive-Harvey

Cincinnati, OH - In the final game before the Christmas holiday, the Cincinnati State men's basketball team defeated ABCD Academy 92-74 on Tuesday night.

The Surge, currently the No. 1 ranked team in the NJCAA national poll, found themselves in a close game at half due to a 13-5 ABCD Academy run to cut the lead to 38-33 at break. Cincinnati State, which has not lost a home game all season, regained control in the opening 5 minutes of the second half, outscoring their opponents 17-5, and increasing the lead to 17.

The Surge defense forced ABCD into 12 second half turnovers leading to a 19-6 advantage in transition points. The Surge also out rebounded ABCD 50-35, gaining a 24-7 edge in second chance points.

Sophomore Winston Grays led the Surge offensively, scoring 22 of his game high 25 points in the second half. Freshman Trent Donald came off the bench to finish with 15 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists. Hugh Hobbs also provided a contribution of the bench with 14 points. Forward Chrisean Marsden finished with a game high 11 rebounds to go along with 8 points while point guard Orlando Berry led all players with 7 assists as the Surge won their seventh straight game.

Cincinnati State, which improved to 13-1 on the season, returns to action on the road on Dec. 29th against the Bulldogs of South Suburban College. South Suburban is currently ranked No. 3 in the national poll with an 11-2 overall record.

No. 1 ranked Cincinnati State defeats Ancilla to stay undefeated at home

Cincinnati, OH - Playing in the their first game as the new No. 1 ranked basketball team in the NJCAA, the Cincinnati State Surge defeated Ancilla College 88-64 on Saturday afternoon.

Cincinnati State sophomore Hugh Hobbs came off the bench to lead all scorers with 20 points, while converting all 4 attempts from beyond the arc. For Hobbs, it was his 7th 20+ point performance of the season. Winston Grays finished with 16 points. Orlando Berry, a Taft High School product, finished with game highs in assists (11) and steals (5) to go along with 10 points and 7 rebounds as the Surge improved to 8-0 at home.

Perhaps the difference in the game was Cincinnati State's perimeter shooting. The Surge converted 11 of 19 3-point attempts compared to Ancilla's 4 for 15 performance.

With the loss, Ancilla dropped to 3-7 on the season.

Extending its winning streak to 6 games, the 12-1 Surge will play their final home game before the holiday break on Tuesday against ABCD Academy at 7 pm.

Monroe, NY - Playing in the championship game of the Pete Pavia Scholarship Tournament in Monroe, NY on Sunday, Cincinnati State won their 5th straight game with an 87-77 victory over tournament host Monroe Community College.

Cincinnati State's Winston Grays led the team offensively. Grays converted 12 of 18 field goals, finishing with a game high 31 points. Hugh Hobbs came off the bench to score 17. Point guard Orlando Berry finished with 12 points and 5 assists.

The Surge made 34 trips to the free throw line, making 24 attempts compared to Monroe's 7 for 11 performance.

With the loss, Monroe fell to 7-5 on the season.

Cincinnati State, which is ranked No. 2 in the NJCAA national poll with a 11-1 record, is projected to jump up to the top spot in the rankings after a loss suffered by current No. 1 ranked South Suburban this past weekend.

The Surge return home to face Wayne County Community College on Wednesday at 7:30 pm. Wayne County is the only team to defeat the Surge this season, winning 97-83 on Nov. 16.

For more information on Cincinnati State athletics, please visit - www.cincinnatistate.edu/on-campus/athletics

Sophomore Hugh Hobbs came off the bench to score 19 points in Cincinnati State's 87-77 win over Monroe.

Surge defeat previously unbeaten Triton College

Cincinnati, OH - Playing host to Triton College in the final game of the Cincinnati State Surge Classic, Cincinnati State defeated the Trojans 83-79 on Saturday night.

In a game which featured 19 lead changes and 9 ties, Cincinnati State got off to a quick start, claiming a 37-19 lead with 7 minutes to go in the first half. Triton would respond with a 12-3 run to finish the half narrowing the Surge lead to 40-31 at the break.

Triton continued its run to start the second half, outscoring the Surge 11-3 in the first 5 minutes. With 6:18 remaining, Triton's Tyre Washington converting a basket and free throw to put the Trojans up 71-66. Cincinnati State responded to the deficit by applying full court pressure forcing Triton into 5 turnovers, leading to a 10-5 run and a tie game with 2:00 minutes remaining. After the teams traded baskets, the Surge owned possession with 48 seconds on the clock. Circling the ball around the perimeter, Orlando Berry found freshman Trent Donald, who converted the eventual game winning shot from the right elbow with 24.5 remaining. Triton's Paul Beene's three point attempt to win the game was unsuccessful as Cincinnati State guard Hugh Hobbs Jr. secured the rebound, was fouled and converted two free throws to give the Surge the 83-29 victory.

Hobbs Jr., who came of the bench, scored 12 of his game high 20 points in the second half. Starting point guard Orlando Berry finished with 14 points, 8 assists, 9 rebounds and 5 steals. Donald, a graduate of Winton Woods High School, finished with 11 points.

Triton, which fell to 8-1 on the season, was led by forward Isaiah Grace's 18 points followed by 14 points from Beene.

Improving to 9-1 on the season and currently ranked No. 20 in the NJCAA national poll, Cincinnati State will return to action on the road when the team participates in the Pete Pavia Memorial Scholarship Basketball Tournament hosted by Monroe Community College on Dec. 7 & Dec. 8.

Surge beat OSU-Club 119-64 in tune up game before this weekend's tournament games

Cincinnati, OH - Coming off their first loss of the season last Saturday, Cincinnati State claimed a 119-64 victory over the club team from Ohio State University on Monday night.

All 11 players who logged playing time scored for Cincinnati State, including 7 players who finished in double-figures. Freshman Lorenzen Wright Jr, a guard from Memphis, TN, led all scorers with 19 points. Sophomore Hugh Hobbs finished with 17 points, 5 assists and 3 steals.

Cincinnati State, which ranks no. 1 in the nation in steals (19.3 spg) & rebounds (53.0 rpg), out rebounded their opponent 62-34 and held a 20-5 edge in 2nd chance points. The Surge forced OSU into 28 turnovers, ultimately leading to a 38-2 advantage in points scored in transition. Chrisean Marsden led on the defensive end for the Surge, tallying 6 blocked shots, 3 steals and 11 rebounds. James Kilpatrick also finished with 11 rebounds to go along with 2 blocks and 2 steals.

"We used this game to work on a few things that we felt we could improve on. Tonight was preparation for this weekend's tournament games," Cincinnati State head coach Andre Tate said. "Our next five games are really the meat of our out-of-conference schedule and we wanted to head into them with some confidence."

Improving to 7-1 on the season and currently ranked No. 20 in the NJCAA national poll, Cincinnati State returns to action this weekend as the school plays host to the 6-game Cincinnati State Surge Classic. The Surge will face Moraine Valley Community College, the No. 12 ranked team in the NJCAA, on Friday beginning at 7 pm. On Saturday, Cincinnati State hosts Triton College at 5 pm.

Here is a complete schedule of this weekend's tournament games held at Cincinnati State

Fri., Nov. 29

3 pm - Miami University - Middletown vs. Triton College

5 pm - Malcolm X College vs. Lansing Community College

7 pm - Cincinnati State Community College vs. Moraine Valley Community College

Sat., Nov. 30

1 pm - Moraine Valley Community College vs. Malcolm X College

3 pm - Lansing Community College vs. Miami University - Middletown

5 pm - Triton College vs. Cincinnati State Community College

Freshman Lorenzen Wright Jr. chases down a loose ball in Cincinnati State's 119-64 victory over OSU-Club. Wright Jr finished with a game high 19 points.

Surge stay undefeated with 75-67 win over Mineral Area in Lake Land Laker Round Ball Classic title game

Mattoon, IL - The Cincinnati State men's basketball team improved to 5-0 overall on the season with a 75-67 win over Mineral Area College in the championship game of the Lake Land Round Ball Classic on Sunday night.

In a game featuring two perennial powers in junior college basketball, the Surge found themselves down at halftime for the first time this season 35-33 to a Mineral Area team which entered the game with a 5-0 record.

The Surge would respond in the second half, gaining an 18-8 advantage in second chance points and a 36-30 edge in points scored in the paint leading to the 8 point victory.

"Mineral Area was by far the biggest challenge of the year so far," Cincinnati State head coach Andre Tate said. "They took away a few things that we are normally able to execute but our guys were able to adjust and make big plays in the second half. This is a great early season indication of where we are as a team."

Sophomore Winston Grays, who was named the tournament MVP, led the Surge on both ends of the floor, recording game highs in points (20) and steals (6). Freshman Trent Donald, a Winton Woods High School product, scored 15 points off the bench and was selected to the All-Tournament Team. Forward Chrisean Marsden recorded his third double-double in a row with 10 points and 16 rebounds.

Improving to 5-0 on the season and currently ranked No. 20 in the NJCAA national poll, Cincinnati State returns to action on the road next weekend against Jackson Community College on Friday and Wayne County Community College on Saturday.

Sophomore Winston Grays has helped lead the 20th ranked Surge to a 5-0 start. Grays, who is averaging 23.5 ppg thus far, was named tournament MVP following a 75-67 win over Mineral Area in the Lake Land Laker Round Ball Classic title game.

Surge start season 2-0 with wins over Ivy Tech and Clark State

11.4.13 - Opening the regular season with back to back games at home, the Cincinnati State men's basketball team began the season with one of the best offensive performances in team history with a 142-41 victory over Ivy Tech and a 93-65 win against Clark State.

Sunday's final score against Ivy Tech was the largest point margin of victory in Andre Tate's tenure as Cincinnati State's head coach. Cincinnati State recorded 36 steals and held a 70-0 advantage in points scored off turnovers.

"One of our goals as a team is to pressure teams for the full 40 minutes and create as many steals and points in transition as possible," Tate said. "Looking at the numbers, I would say we got off to a tremendous start in that area of the game."

Every Cincinnati State player who logged playing time scored. Leading the Cincinnati State offense was sophomore guard Hugh Hobbs, who scored a game high 23 points off the bench in just 15 minutes of playing time. Sophomore and last year's leading scorer Winston Grays finished with 20 points in just 9:33 of action. Freshman Trent Donald, a Winton Woods graduate, finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds in his collegiate debut. Orlando Berry recorded a game high 9 assists to go along with 15 points and 4 steals. Jarod Jones, a freshman from Pontiac, MI, came off the bench to contribute 12 points, including three dunks in a span of two minutes.

"For the first game of the season, I was extremely happy with the result. We have guys who can flat out score. Without a doubt, this was one of the best statistical performances my team has ever had," Tate said. "We just have to put the emphasis on how to keep getting better and improve."

In a 93-65 win over Clark State on Monday, the difference in the game proved to be Clark State's inability to take care of the ball. The Surge defense forced Clark State into 24 turnovers compared to just 3 by Cincinnati State, resulting in a 28-0 advantage in points scored off of turnovers.

Four players finished in double digits for the Surge. Leading the way was freshman James Kilpatrick, who finished with 24 points, 8 rebounds and 3 steals. Sophomore Orlando Berry had 19 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Winston Grays finished with 17 points. Forward Terron Ramsey, a freshman from Detroit, MI, had the double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds.

"We didn't have our best shooting night but we took care of the ball and played great defense in the second half. With this game out of the way, our focus turns to next weekend's road games against Truman and a tough team in State Fair Community College," Cincinnati State head coach Andre Tate said.

The Surge travel to compete in the Lake Land Laker Invitational in Mattoon, IL with games against Truman College on Friday and State Fair Community College on Saturday.

Sophomore point guard Orlando Berry helped lead Cincinnati State to victories over Ivy Tech and Clark State. Berry recorded 34 points, 15 assists, 12 rebounds and 8 steals combined in the two game stretch.